San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-11-30
ABOUT TREES.
What An Experienced HortIcuIturist
Has Seen and Speaks About.

What An Experienced HortIculturist
Has Seen and Speaks About.
A LIGHT reporter passed through
Travis park recently. and noticed some
workmen digging holes to plant
new trees In this park. Ii IL well
known fact that the city has had great
trouble and has gone to great expense TO
keep certain portions of this park COW
cred with shade trees, and all to no pur-
pose, the trees dying 10 a year or two
after being planted. Later the reporter
met DR.. Geo. b. Johnston, one OF the
most skilled agriculturists and hortioul-
turists 10 the state, and who has farm
near Converse which 10 veritable gar
den. He asked the doctor his opinion as
TO the cause Of the trees not growing 10
this park, and stated that Ii was also
the case In several other parts Of
the city that shade trees will not grow.
The doctor agreed with the reporter and
said:
IL walked along avenue c the other
day and counted AZ dead trees In the
distance OF about 10 squares. | also
walked through the park and saw about
40 holes dug for the purpose Of renewing
the trees"
"Well, In the first place." said the
Doctor "there ought to be public tree
commissioner, employed by the city at q
certain salary. He should know his bust
ness and should see that trees are plant
ed right and the right kind OF trees
planted. This city could be made q
perfect arbor In the matter OF trees, and
could be fully protected from the burn
Ing sun III more attention was paid to
this matter by the city council and our
citizens. All our streets should be lined
with trees, which when planted right
will grow and survive many years."
How must trees he planted, doctor,
TO growS"
--"Dig the holes a month previous to
planting and loosen up the soil at the
bottom Of the hole instead OF tramping
II hard as lie seen when a man is stand
ing In the hole digging 1t. The bottom
soil should be discarded entirely. 1t is
strongly saturated with lime and II you
leave II in, when the tree is planted and
water is put In, the roots will rot and
burn ap with the Stacked lime. After
the hole Is dug and you are ready to
plant your tree put In quantity Of
compost, which you have previously
formed OF old manure, (hen or guano
manure 10 good old ashes and good
soil, mixed well. About one-tblrd OF
this compost, with two-thirds OF good
top soil should be put around the roots
OF the tree In the hole and 1t IL done.
This compost makes a rich pla mt
food and you get rid OF the lime be-
cause the ammonia In the compost acts
chemically on the lime In the soil and
relieves IL OF Its injurious proper
ties. Then the tree will begin to grow,
and by mulching IL frequently during
the dry weather, only q small quantity OF
water Is necessary"
"Can forest tress be grown that wsy?"
asked the reporter.
Yes. Forest trees, such as elm, hack
berry and other kinds, can be, II the
roots are good and the tree not too old.
Forest trees from two TO three years.
growth, are the best; not older. And
right here, Is another point. In plant
ing trees, care should be taken Ia cut
ting the tree at the top. | always cut
all my trees for planting, a few inches
above the first forks; cut them 8 qusre of
and trim the edges near the bark with q
knife, to make them smooth and rid
them Of the saw dust. The
bark will not grow or heal over q sur
face covered with sawdust, but will
close nicely over smooth cut surface.
lfyOu don't do this, the end of the limb
or trunk will rot and worms will get 10
and spoil your tree. The worms are
particularly bad In this country"
(which are the best trees for this
climate, Doctor" inquired the scribe.
Umbrella trees are the natural shade
trees OF this climate. They grow beau
tifully and rapidly, and the objection
raised 10 them that they die early is all
nonsense. Plant them and care for
them in the way 1 have told you and
they will last for years. They require
q rich food but will repay you for
your trouble In furnishing it.
1 have planted these trees In
compost and In one years growth from
slender switch they have grown four
and five inches In diameter. have also
planted them without the compost and
they are now very little larger than the
day set them out"
The doctor seems to know what he Is
talking about, his manner Of planting
trees is excellent, as has been demon
strated by the experience OF others. and
his sugge stiOn as to q tree commissioner
Is well worthy the attention OF our al
dermen.
Cheap John Circular